Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-26
A BIG STREEC FIGHT
Which Convulsed st. Augustine in
the OIden Days.

"hiCH NOhFulseO ct. augustine HI
the Olden Days.
from the JGokSonotUe FId.) Times Union.
Returning from St. Augustine on the
train Friday evening Maj. George R.
Fairbanks, OF Fernandina, who grew up
with Gen. Loring in st. Augustine. and
resided there many years, told the story
OF what he said was "the biggest street
fight ever seen in Florida" The parties
to the ARRAY were the three Loring
brothers, William, Charles and Fred,
with Albert A. Nunez, who had married
thelr sister, and two Scotch brothers
named Mckay.
The Mckays were surveyors, and Nu-
nez was connected with the surveyor
GENERALS office. A dispute between
Nunez and the McKays had arisen over
the Location Of piece OF property, and
word was brought TO Nunez that the
Scotchmen had made some very derogs-
tory remarks about him. Reporting the
TACT to his brothers-in-law, who were
very daring men, they determined to
chastlse the Mckays on sight, and 80 an
nOunced. This announcement WAS con-
Veyed to the Mckay brothers who were
very determined men, and for several
days the whole town was on the qui vive
over the expected collision. 1t is diff
they desire, in 80 small place as st. Au-
gustine was in those days, and the meet
ing was net long postponed.
The three brothers, LOring and MIR.
Nunez were standing In one Of the stores
when they saw the Mckay brothers APP
preaching. Sallying forth in Il group,
hlp-pocket artillery was promptly I'M
limbered on both sides and the battle be-
gan. William W. Loring was slightly
wounded in the neck, but the pistols
were exhausted before any particular
damage was done on either side. Besides
their pistols the Mckay brothers had
prepared themselves with two long
knives, and as soon as the pistols had
been emptied they plunged into the
midst OF their assailants and began to
slash right and left. Nunez had his
stomach ripped open, but being a very
fat man no vital part was reached.
William Loring took refuge
in the post office, and the other Lorings
in shops near by. The McKays emerged
from the conflict unhurt. One OF the
old Spanish residents lost his head so
completely in the excitement that he
ran toward the combatants, and seeing
Nunez lying on the side walk began
pounding him over the head with his
stick, under the impression apparently
that that was the best way to put an end
to the battle.
This occurred about the year 1916, and
few events during that period Of the citv's
history excited more interest.
Charles L0rinS was subsequently killed
IN New York hotel by New Orleans
man named Graham. He was stopping
at the hotel with his wife, who being an
invalid, was somewhat nervous. On the
evening Of the tragedy the man Graham
returned to the hotel drunk, and was
making himself Extensively noisy in the
hallway adjacent to the rooms of the
Loriugs. Mr.. Loring's wife requested
him to 20 out and put stop to the dis
turbance, and he attempted to do
so. Graham being drunk took
umbrage at LorIng's remon-
strances. and in the quarrel
which ensued one of them drew a blade
from sword and LOring was run
through the body and fatally wounded.
Graham was tried, convicted OF man
slaughter and sent to Sing Sing for five
years, and within year of his release
was killed in a barroom brawl in New
Orleans.
BISHOP QUINTARD'S STORY.
Bishop Quintard also told an amusing
story of Gen. Loring. During his army
days be was pr0fuse and picturesque
swearer, and his friends had often remOn-
strated with him in regard to his In
dulgenoe in the habit. On one occasion
during the civil war, while lying very ill,
he turned bis eyes to a friend who was
sitting by bis bed and said
Don't you think I'm doing betterY
yes" said his friend, ''you undoubt.
edly are. Your skin IS moist and your
eyes are clearer, and | am sure you're i'm
proving fast"
mo, no." said Loring, "that isn't what
| mean. Don't you think Pm doing better
in the matter of swearing?'
His friend admitted that he had GER
tainly swore lees while lying desperately
Ill, ana the General seemed much en-
couraged.